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PART VTI. 



THE CAT AND ITS DISEASES. 

BY E. M. HALE, M. D., 
Member of the Chicago Acadcry of Science, and o£ the Ilano.s State Humane Society. 




ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 

THE admirer of the cat inquires about the origin of,the 
o-raceful pet which sings on the rug or lies so com- 
fortably on the lap of its mistress, and he learns that 
"blue blood" runs in the veins of the large family, 
scientifically speaking, to which it belongs. It is 
a' member of the great class of felidae, whose 
proudest representatives are the kingly lion and 
the roval tiger. In spite of much discussion, the 

question of the origin of the domestic cat is still 

without a s^:^'i "actorv answer. It is very generally conceded that it descend- 
ed from either the cat of ancient Egypt or the wild cat, but authorities are 
pretty evenly divided upon the two parts of this question. Mr. Wood says, 
"as far as is at present known, the Egyptian cat is the origin of our do- 
mestic cat," and we accept his conclusion, as well as his statement that it 
came to western and northern countries through Greece and Rome. 

That it was known in very early times is shown by many allusions to 
it in the books of the Sanscrit language, which date back thousands of 
years before the Christian era. In ancient Egypt it commanded a venera- 
tion which staggers our credence. We are told that a Persian king cap- 
tured an Egyptian city without opposition by resorting to the stratagem ot 
alving a living cat to each soldier when going to battle, the enemy offering 
no resistance Test the sacred animal be killed. Stories of a like kind are 



S50 COMPENDIUM OF HEALTH. 

mentioned in history, and we learn that the death penalty was inflicted on 
any one in Egypt who killed a cat. This animal held a high place in the 
public and private worship of that land, as we read in the pages of history, 
and as is further proved by the vast numbers of images and adornments 
representing it which have been discovered in later times. Hosts of them 
were embalmed, and that, too, by the costly process used on the royal fami- 
lies, so that it may be said that Egypt permanently preserved the bodies of 
her kings and cats. 

We find that the Turks had and yet have a profound respect for this 
animal, handsome sums being devoted to hospitals for its care and treat- 
ment. In the tenth century Howell the Good, of Wales, imposed a heavy 
fine upon any subject who killed a cat. In the Middle Ages a different 
sentiment was rife, superstition connecting the animal with witches and 
Satan, especially if it were black — a superstition which is not luiknown 
to-day. Great numbers were burned alive on St. John's Day in a certain 
quarter of Paris, the king starting the fire, Louis XIV being the last ruler 
to perform this proud royal act. To such superstitions and barbarities may 
perhaps be traced the prejudice of modern times against this innocent animal. 
In both ancient and modern Germany there has been a peculiar dread 
of a black cat and its supposed Satanic influences. In Sicily cats are held 
in almost extravagant esteem. In England and America not a few have 
ridiculous notions u^Don the curative properties of the blood, skin and other 
parts, to say nothing about fancied relations to Satan and witches. 

Over against the repugnance to the cat which many profess, often be- 
cause it is simply the fashion, one may mention, as a few of the great 
number who have admired and fostered the animal, Richelieu, Cardinal 
Wolsey, Montaigne, Fontanelle, Turner the painter, Tasso, Pierre Jean 
de Beranger, and Dr. Jonson. Adding the weight of the tastes of 
such men to that of the favors shown in ancient times, we catch the force 
of the saying that " a cat may look upon a king." 



He who dispassionately studies the traits of the cat will recognize a 
measure of aptness in the old Arab's saying, that Allah had placed in the 
cat the spirit of a gentle woman, and in the dog the soul of a brave man. 
At the present time, however, any claim of gentleness for this animal is 
promptly met by the unsupported assertion, that " the friendship of years 
is suddenly and irreparably broken by an accidental tread on the tail," and 
an invidious comparison is drawn by alluding to the patient and forgiving 
aflfection of the dog. The cat is by far the more delicately constituted in 



THE CAT AND ITS DISEASES. 851 

the nervous system, and is thus exposed to the most exquisite pain and dis- 
tressing shocks. But in spite of this, if she has been properly treated be- 
fore, it takes but shght assurances that no harm was intended to call forth 
fully as much kindness as the dog will show. This difference is noticeable: 
the dog will take pains to cultiviite friendship with those who are indiffer- 
ent or uiikintl, while the cat will cultivate it only where it is evidently 
mutual. 

If those who harbor such a prejudice will exercise a disposition to learn 
the facts, they will probably corroborate the view of one keen observer 
who has said that he had "never known a cat to cement a friendship with 
any one without such friendship lasting till death." Dr. Stables has given 
a large number of instances in which she has staid by the sick-bed of her 
master or mistress, almost to the point of starvation; has evinced unques- 
tioned loneliness in the absence of that one in the family who has shown 
her special kindness; has lain by the cradle of the babe and kept off other 
cats, and even dogs; and has been trained to such a point as to sport with 
and protect pet birds, when she would immediately devour any of 
their kind that she might find in their natural freedom. The testimony of 
that writer is fully sustained by any one who has been observant of the cat 
when it is kindly treated and trained. One frequently-cited evidence of 
her innate kindness is her nursing of puppies, rabbits, rats, and other ani- 
mals. It is readily seen that, in addition to her proverbial attachment to 
places, which leads her to seek her home when taken away a long distance 
in the closest confinement, she is disposed to be as closely attached to per- 
sons and dumb creatures. Not only may she be educated to become the 
protector of animals which she is naturally prompted to destroy, thus dis- 
proving the existence of an alleged " ineradicable treachery," but her 
marked propensity to steal may be so completely overcome by training 
that her choicest food will be untouched in the larder to which she has ac- 
cess. Indeed, as we might infer from her delicate organism and high tyoe 
of cunning, she has a docility which has a parallel in few animals, and it 
but requires pains to develop it. It may be safely said that those which 
display the disagreeable traits of petulance, theft and treachery are starved, 
ill-treated, spoiled, or at least much neglected. The strict cleanliness of 
body which they maintain, the noiseless and graceful demeanor, and the 
notable absence of a disposition to do willful injury to furniture and adorn- 
ments, make cats peculiarly fit for drawing-room pets. 

The prejudice of to-day is almost wholly due to a disregard of two 
points, namely, the selection of a proper subject, and the requisite care and 
training. One will necessarily form a low estimate of the animal if he 
bases his conclusions upon the stray representatives in whose veins runs 



852 COMPENDIUM OF HEALTH. 

the blood of all chance mongrel breeds, which have " shifted for them- 
selves," and have had no protection against bad weather, bad food, bad 
dogs and worse boys. Heredity is as well defined in cats as in other ani- 
mals, and good or bad habits will not only be transmitted, but may be con- 
firmed or corrected by education. No more will this pet be agreeable and 
prized without training than others, nor will others more readily and fully 
reward one for the joains that he may bestow. , 

VARIETIES. 

The varieties most sought as pets are tne Angora (also called Angola, 
because some think that it originated in Angola, in Africa, instead of 
Angora, in Asia Minor); the Persian; the Chinese; the Spanish, or Tor- 
toise Shell; the Chartreuse, or Blue; tiie Manx; and the Tabby. 

The Angora is the most beautiful of all. It is large, and has long, 
silky fur, and a gorgeous, brush-like tail. It is generally perfectly white, 
but ma}' be a pale-yellow, or almost olive-colored. Whatever the color, it 
is pretty, gentle and delicate. 

The Persian is "beautiful in luster and color of its skin. It is a gray- 
blue, and as soft and shining as silk. The tail is of great length and cov- 
ered with hair six inches long, which the animal throws over its back after 
the manner of a squirrel." The hair on the neck is also very long, and 
the color is said to be sometimes pure white. 

The Chinese, which some claim is not properly a cat, is rather above 
the ordinary size, has fine, glossy fur, and hanging ears. 

The Spanish, or Tortoise Shell, is white, black and reddish-brown 
mixed, and is very elegant in form. 

The Chartreuse, or Blue, has long slate-colored fur, and a bushy neck 
and tail. This is perhaps what is popularly known as the Maltese. 

The Manx has long, slim legs, close-set fur, staring, restless eyes, and 
no tail, there being only a knob in its stead. It is an unearthly looking 
creature, and " might fitly be the quadrupedal form in which the ancient 
sorcerers v/ere wont to clothe themselves on their nocturnal excursions." 
Thei'e seems to be little doubt that some animals presented at cat-shows as 
specimens of the Manx are really common cats with the tails cut off. In- 
deed, not a few even yet say that the Alanx is a myth, though some high 
authorities do not question its existence. 

The Tabby is striped, like waved or watered silk, and may have any 
of a variety of colors. In technical language, we apply this name to those 
that have such marking, but it is popularly used for any grown cat. 

In addition to the above, mixed breeds in great variety present almost 



THE CAT AXD ITS DISEASES. 853 

■every conceivable color, from perfect black to spotless white, and many of 
them are desirable as pets and valuable as mousers. 

HEALTH OF CATS. 

Most people never think that a cat suffers a loss of health that is worth 
notice, and they entirely neglect their pet until it is perhaps found dead in 
the alley. To expect an animal of such a delicate organism to be free from 
disease is most unreasonable. It is doubtless true that many have little 
concern, too, whether the cat suffers or not. Two classes will perhaps put 
a low estimate on a work which is devoted to the comfort and health of 
an animal which they lightly esteem. One class will be found in the 
country, where vile mongrel cats are the only ones known, and whose only 
redeeming characteristic is a fecundity that supplies the demand as rapidly 
as it is made by the deaths which ensue from neglect and giueltv. The 
other class will be those who cultivate the contempt for the cat which 
many profess, because they suppose it is popular, without reflecting that it 
is not an evidence of superior taste to despise what God has created. But 
the great admiration — often extravagant, of course — evinced for this ani- 
mal by a host of good people, the high money value put upon it by such 
people and by most people in our cities, and the frequent applications made 
to the fiimily physician when a favorite cat in the household is suffering, all 
point to a large class who will welcome the present treatise. Before the 
treatment is entered upon, a few hints are in order upon the care which is 
calculated to ward off in great measure the ailments to which this animal 
is subject. To preserve the health, the smoothness and gloss of the fur, 
and the temper, one must regard the food, drink, housing, and general 
management. 

Food. — In this matter perhaps no error is more general than that of 
starving a cat to make it a good mouser. The practice has arisen from the 
mistaken notion that a cat kills mice and rats for food only, while the truth 
is that she does it quite as much because it is at once her sport and her nature, 
and that she will follow it up more faithfully if she is properly fed 
and kept in her normal health and spirits. If one wants his pet to be- 
come a thief and prowler, with an abundant stock of fleas and vermin, let 
him neglect to feed her regularly. Give at least two meals a day at regu- 
lar hours. After each feeding remove the dish and never use it a second 
time without first washing it. The quantity that is requisite can be.st be 
determined by experience, but some breeds, the Angora in particular, re- 
quire more than others. 

Oatmeal porridge and milk, or white bread soaked in milk a little 



854 COMPENDIUM OF HEAI.TH. 

sweetened, will make a good breakfast. For a dinner, the same may be 
given with an allowance of flesh. Horse-rneat is much used in Europe, 
and is good, though liver and boiled lights are better. Fish is the favorite 
meat of the cat, and should be at least occasionally provided, particularly 
during sickness. Oysters are also well suited to its wants and are keenly 
relished by some. Raw beef is, of course, to be recommended. An ex- 
cessive amount of flesh, however, tends to produce diarrhoea, liver being es- 
pecially conducive to this derangement. Boiled eggs at regular intervals 
are desirable, as are also vegetables of any kind that the animal likes. 

Though the' food should be ample for the needs of the cat, over-feed- 
ing is one of the most prolific sources of mischief. Sweet, fresh milk 
should always be given in abundance, and this, with the oatmeal or bread, 
will be quite sufficient in most cases. The mice which the cat will contrive 
to get will generally be an adequate supplement. Delicacies from the table 
are always to be withheld. It may be said in this connection that a cat's 
disposition is often spoiled b}'' feeding it from the table while the family is 
eating. This should not be allowed, and a little training will induce her 
to patiently await her time, even if she sits by the table during the meal. 

Grass. — A lady writer says: "Cats will never prosper without grass to 
eat. It is, with them, a panacea for nearly all their ills. They eat it to keep 
the stomach in good order. It cools the blood, prevents humors, and aids 
digestion." It is supposed that the eating of grass helps the cat to get rid 
of the hair which it swallows in the process of washing. While licking 
itself, the loose hair clings to the tongue and is swallowed. In the stomach 
it tends to form hard balls, which interfere with digestion and act as an 
irritant to the stomach and bowels, causing fever, fits, vomiting and dys- 
entery. The grass acts in such cases as a lubricant, like castor oil, enabling 
these balls to be easily thrown off by the stomach or bowels. Grass can 
be supplied to cats in the winter by laying by a few cuts of sod in the 
cellar, conservatory, or any warm place, being kept watered, and a small 
piece being given at a time. They will eat it greedily, and even swallow 
the roots. If it causes them to vomit no harm will be done. If a cat ap-l 
pear ill, tries to vomit, or vainly tries to evacuate the bowels, and no grass 
can be procured, give a teaspoonful of castor oil, sweet oil, or glycerine. 
The readiness with which most of them will feed upon asparagus 
in the garden should induce one to keep a supply in reach when practicable; 
and their natural preference for catnip will suggest a like course, for it is 
well-known that cats take delight in rolling about in catnip, whether dry 
or green. 

Drink. — Of milk we have already spoken; but it is a mistake to sup- 
pose that it is always preferred, since water will generally be chosen for 



THE CAT AND ITS DISEASES. 855 

the mere quenching of thirst. Both should be kept in a particular place, 
in different vessels, or in separate divisions of a double dish. The drink- 
ing-vessels must be washed at least once a day and a fresh supply be pro- 
vided as often, for milk that is the least unsavory will not be taken by a 
well-bred cat, unless hunger forces it to accept it, nor will it drink water if 
it is not fresh and free from dust. 

Housing. — If one is to have a cat that is fit to be seen in the parlor, or 
to be allowed in the house at all, he must give it suitable housing. If he 
turns it out at night, it will, in addition to becoming a thief and prowler, 
surely be gaunt, ugly, unhealthy, and covered with lice and other vermin 
from its visits to the roosts of poultry and birds. If properly fed and 
treated during the day, it will not be inclined to go out at night. Make a 
good bed. in a clean, cosy place, give free access to different parts of the 
house, and do not put your cat out art night unless it shows a marked de- 
sire to go. Many people turn it out to keep it from soiling the carpets, 
but this is unnecessary, for proper management will supjjlement its nat- 
ural dainty cleanliness, and thus prevent this practice, unless sickness or too 
close confinement induces it. It is always well to place a sand-box in some 
remote part of the house, and to keep it accessible at all times. Not only 
can one train his cat to use it herself, but she will also teach her mates and 
kittens to do the same. 

Care of the Fur. — The Hindoo word for cat means " the cleanser," 
and an apt use of the term it is, for no other animal keeps itself in such 
exquisite cleanliness. No one should fail to keep the apartments in which 
the cat is kept as clean as possible. If she is compelled to wear a dirty 
coat for a considerable time, it will be the more to her credit if she does 
not become discouraged, careless and slovenly. At times the .^surroundings 
will be such that the soiling of the fur will be unavoidable, and it is then 
best to give an occasional bath with warm water and the mildest of soap, 
carefully drying with towels, in a warm room, to prevent the contracting 
of a cold. For obvious reasons, white cats will be more often treated in 
this wa}', and perhaps the water which gets into the ears, and the colds 
which are taken, aggravate the alleged liability of those of this color to 
become deaf — a liability which is grossly exaggerated by many. 

To insure a clean, glossy coat, give at times an ounce or less of fresh 
butter. " It not only acts as a gentle laxative, but the grease, combining 
in her mouth with the alkalinity of her saliva, forms a kind of natural cat- 
soap, and you will see she will immediately commence washing herself, and 
become beautifully clean." When the fur is rough and " seedy," give a 
saucer of milk, warmed a little with hot water and slightly sweetened with 
sugar. If cream is smeared about the mouth or on the paws, the cat will 



856 COMPKNDIUM OP' HEALTH. 

lick it off and use it in dressing herself. To prepare her for shows, touch 
her all over with a sponge dipped in fresh cream, and she will clean and 
polish herself with a striking effect. 

A begrimed coat is a source of poor health, and one that is rough and 
staring is generally the first symptom of disease. Hence, both in hygiene 
and treatment, attention to the fur is of much importance. 

General Remarks. — The health and temper of cats are seriously 
impaired by rough treatment of all kinds. No one can reasonably expect 
to have a pet that is fit for the drawing-;-oom if it is harassed by dogs and 
street-boys, or continually teased by pulling its ears, tail and fur; nor, in- 
deed, if it is tieated as if it ^vere merely suffered to be in the house, instead 
of being sought. That an animal is so patient as to allow children to 
smother it in their aprons and wraps, to carry it over the shouLIer by the 
legs or head, and even to drag it by tfie tail, is a rebuke to parents who are 
so unfeeling as to permit such abuse. Her good nature merits some consid- 
erations of humanity. Her delicate nervous organism, too, demands j^ro- 
tection agamst pain, fright, and all forms of rough treatment. 

DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 

Cats are subject to nearly as many diseases as the human race. But 
while the diseases of nearly all other animals have been studied with great 
care, those of the cat have been neglected, except by a few admirers of that 
animal. Yet there are thousands of people who would highly value an}' 
practical information, in order that they might save the life or preserve the 
health of a loved pet or valuable mouser. 

Cats soon show when they are sick. Almost the first symptom is a 
neglect of their usual toilet. A cat that omits to wash and clean itself is 
surely ill. 

Another prominent symptom is a rough condition of its fur. The 
hair no longer is smooth and glossy, but appears to stand out straight from 
the skin. 

A hot nose is a pretty sure sign that a cat is feverish or has inflam- 
mation somewhere. I shall enumerate the disorders of cats in the order of 
their frequency, and give briefly the best treatment adopted by others, 
together with my own experience. 

There is no reason why we should not treat the cat and all other 
animnls with the same humanity with which we should treat our fellow 
human beings. Some physicians and surgeons take offense, or pretend to, 
if asked to prescribe for a cat or other domestic animal. No physician 
need feel any loss of dignity in doing a humane act. When a veterinary 



THE CAT AND ITS DISEASES. 



857 



physician or some one who makes diseases of animals a speciaHty can not be 
procured, the family physician has no moral or humane right to refuse to 
prescribe. The writer, although an old physician of large practice, never 
refused such aid, and if the following hints shall enable humane people to 
relieve the suffering of their pets, he will be sincerely gratified. 

When medicine is not given in the food, and is to be administered by 
hand, it is well to put on thick, stout gloves to avoid bites and scratches. 




204. Hafiz (trom a photograph). Owned by the Author. 



Then wrap the cat in a strong cloth, carefully covering the feet; let an assist- 
ant hold it between his knees, and open the mouth wide. Doses in a fluid 
form should be given little by little from a spoon. If a pill or bolus is the 
form, put it well back against the roof of the mouth. If tasteless powders 
or homoeopathic pellets are used, it is only necessary to place the dose on 
the tongue, when it will be absorbed or swallowed. In all cases, be gen- 



858 COMPENDIUM OF HEALTH. 

tie, SO as to avoid fright and injury. Studiously clean off from the lips and 
fur all remnants of the medicine, for the cat will not lick it off if it is dis- 
tasteful, and its presence will be annoying. It is a good rule to withhold 
food for two hours after a remedy has been given, unless special directions 
to the contrary are mentioned in any particular place. 

CONVULSIONS.— FITS. 

Among the causes of fits the principal is overfeeding with meat, 
especially when young. Cats should have but a small quantity of meat once 
a day. The best diet for a cat under one year of age is milk, oatmeal and 
milk, or plain bread and milk. 

Fits are generally of such short duration th;it but little can be done for 
instant relief. If they last more than a minute, a wh.iff of chloroform, 
ether or ammonia may do good. In order to prevent them from running 
into the fire or injuring furniture or ornaments in their wild and delirious 
action, throw a shawl or sheet over them and hold them quiet. The preven- 
tive or after-treatment is the most important. 

Treatment. — The diet must be carefully watched, and if they are 
fat, put them on a low diet. If they are poor and lean, give them reg- 
ularly milk and a little raw meat twice a day. If the disorder arises from 
worms, give santonine (one-tenth grain in milk every three or four hours 
for two or three days). A cat with fits should be watched, and if her faeces 
or vomit contain woi'ms, you may be sure that worms are the cause. If 
the cat is very poor and scrawny, give half a teaspoonful of cod-liver oil 
three times a day. If the fits are frequent and the cat is rigid, or stiffly 
convulsixl, give nux vomica three times a day (a few pellets or grains of the 
third trituration, or a spoonful of a solution of one or two drops of the 
tincture in half a glass of water). If the eyes are red and blood-shot and 
the head is hot, give belladonna in the same dose as nux vomica. 

DELIRIUM. 

Cats often have attacks of delirium, which may be mistaken for 
fits, though there are no true convulsions. The animal is discovered with 
staring eyes and bristly fur, rushing here and there in a terrible manner. 
It tries to climb up the wall or break through a window, and ends by 
plunging into the darkest corner, and mews piteously or screams frightfully. 
Here it will remain and die unless attended to. 

Treatment.- — Put on a pair of thick gloves or mittens, grasp the cat 
firmly by the nape of the neck, wrap a shawl around the body, and 



THE CAT AND ITS DISEASES. 859" 

with a sharp pair of scissors clip or slit one of the ears slightly in the thin 
part; then with a sponge or rag wet the ear with warm water to cause the 
blood to flow, and a few drops will give relief. Give the cat some bella- 
donna or hyoscyamus as directed above, put it in a cool, quiet place, and 
allow it to sleep. Do not allow it to be disturbed for several hours or a day, 
for the animal is left in a very nervous state, in which a slight sound will 
alarm it and bring back the delirium. 

When cats are teething this delirium often occurs. In some instances 
the gums ought to be lanced. Feed the cat very sparingly with warm 
milk, not cream, for a few days. Place within its reach water to drink, 
and grass to eat. 

APOPLEXY. 

If a cat suddenly becomes stu^^id, sleeps heavily and cannot be roused, 
and breathes with a snore, it has apoplexy. Bleed from the ear a few di'ops, 
and give one-tenth drop of opium (laudanum) every half-hour. 

INFLAMED EYES. 

This is generally due to catarrh or injury. If it arises from catching 
cold, the eye will be swollen, the inside of the lids red and secreting a 
mucus which sticks the lids together and runs out of the corners. Give in- 
ternally some Pulsatilla or hepar sulphur. Locally apply a wash of weak 
borax-water, or a few grains of alum or sulphate of zinc to a teacupful 
of water. 

CATARRH OF TPIE NOSE. 

After catciiing cold, cats v/ill sneeze and show all the symptoms of in- 
fluenza. It is often epidemic. When influenza is prevalent among men 
and horses, dogs and cats are similarly affected. Give hepar sulphur, and if 
the case is severe, with sore, raw nose and a watery discharge, give arsenic 
or arsenic iodide, third trituration, or ten drops of Fowler's Solution in a half- 
teacup of water, a spoonful every two hours. 

SORE THROAT.— DIPHTHERIA. 

Sore throat arises generally from a cold, and is preceded by catarrhal 
symptoms. The cat will seem to have difiiculty in swallowing food, will 
swallow when not eating, and the glands of the throat are swollen. Cats 



860 COMPENDrUM OF HEALTH. 

have diphtheria, which they often get from children by whom they are 
fondled. Give belladonna and mercurins, and wrap the throat up in flannel 
wet with cosmoHne; or tie a strip of pork around the throat. If it is diph- 
theria, the same treatment will be ample, with a few grains of sulphite of 
soda in water. 

INFLAxMMATION OF THE STOMACH. 

This is often caused by cats eating food that has been poisoned. If 
you are sure it is arsenic, give a few drops of peroxide of u'on, or dialized 
iron, every half-hour. The symptoms are constant vomiting and retching, 
with great thirst. If it is not from arsenic, give a few pellets or a powder 
of arsenicum, third trituration, every hour or two. If this fails, give a 
grain or two of sub-nitrate of bismuth, dry on the tongue, every hour. 
But do not forget that all the symptoms of this disease are often caused by 
worms, and then nothing but santonine will save life. 

DIARRHCEA. 

Diarrhoea is generally caused by irregular or excessive feeding, or ex- 
posure to wet and cold. Fat meat, or too much liver or oysters will cause 
it. It soon reduces the cat to a skeleton, and will end in dysentery and death. 

If caused by improper food, give pulsatilla and a diet of boiled milk, 
or no food at all, for a day or two. A few grains of bismuth will often 
avert it. If it comes from a cold, give mercurius, second trituration. If it 
is chronic and obstinate, give the following prescription: 

1^ Tine, opii, one drachm. 

Castor oil, one ounce.' 

Aromatic syrup rhubarb, one ounce. 

Emulsion, two ounces. 

Mix. 

Give one-half or one teaspoonful every two hours. In all severe cases of 
illness, put the cat in an empty room, not too cold, with a warm bed in it, 
and a box of sand. 

DYSENTERY. 

Dysentery is an inflammation of the mucous lining of the intestines. It 
is attended by fever, pain in the bowels, crying and discharge of white or 
"bloody slime, with straining. 



THE CAT AND ITS DISEASES. 861 

Give aconite and mercurius, with colocynth if there is colic. If this 
fails, use the prescription given above for chronic DiarrhcEa. A grain or 
two of powdered ipecac every two hours will be needed if the discharges 
are green and very bloody. 

BRONCHITIS AND CONSUMPTION. 

% 

Cats are very subject to bronchitis, especially pet cats, if they are 
exposed to cold and wet. It begins with symptoms of a common cold, 
such as staring coat, shivering, and slight cough. The cat becomes very ill 
for a day or two with the acute stage, which soon passes into the chronic 
form. There is then ditliculty of breathing; the cat is constantly coughing, 
with the tongue hanging over the lower lip; she has an anxious expression 
about the face, and her eyes are watery and filled with matter; she gets 
thinner and moons about, refusing all food, or at times eating voraciously, 
with depraved appetite. 

Confine the cat to the house, in a warm room; feed her on beef-tea and 
bread, or milk and arrowroot-gruel. If she is constipated, give a small tea- 
spoonful of castor or sweet oil, and prepare a mixture as follows: In half a 
glass of water put one drop of Fowler's Solution of arsenic, and five drops of 
tincture of gelseminum. Give a teaspoonful of this every hour until the 
feverish or acute stage has passed. If you have homoeopathic remedies, 
give a small powder of arsenicum (third) and six pellets of gelseminum 
(first), alternately one hour ajDart. 

After the acute stage has passed into the chronic, and the cough is 
wheezy and frequent, give five drops of syrup of squills everv two hours 
or six pellets of pulsatilla (second), alternated with hepar sulphur (third), 
two hours a^Dait. In bad cases, with very difiicult breathing and painful 
cough, give a small powder of tartar emetic, second trituration, alternated 
with six pellets of phosphorus, the third. If the cat is left with a cough, 
and. grows thin and weik, give half a teaspoonful of ]3ure cod-liver oil three 
times a day. This generally acts like a charm, and the cat soon recovers her 
strength and flesh. 

Consumption often results from neglected bronchitis and needs only 
good care, freedom from exposure, a diet of raw meat, and cod-liver oil. 

DISTEMPER OR YELLOWS. 

Lady Cust, writing of diseases of cats, says: — "This is different from 
distemper in dogs. It rarely occurs but once, and is a dangerous disorder. 
It begins with constant vomiting of bright-yellow, frothy liquid. Diarrhoea 



862 COMPENDIUM OF HEALTH. 

then comes on, which ends in dysentery." She advises "half a teaspoonful 
of melted beef marrow, free from skin," and says that one dose is generally 
sufficient to check the vomiting. But several of my cats had this disease 
and I treated them all successfully with calomel and ipecac. Put three or four 
grains of each into half a glass of water, and give a teaspoonful every hour, 
(or give a small powder of mercurius dulcis, second trituration, and the same 
'dose of ipecac, second trituration, alternately one or two hours apart). Feed 
them nothing until the vomiting is checked; then give them small quanti- 
ties of warm milk, to which may be added a little mutton-broth. 

MANGE.— RING-WORM ECZEMA. 

The "mange" of cats is generally a species of "ring-worm" (which 
they often give to children, or catch from children). It is often a "psoriasis" 
or an "eczema." The skin becomes red and irritated in spots, where the 
hair soon falls off, or the skin becomes red, scaly and wrinkled. The poor 
animal presents an unsightly and even loathsome appearance in bad cases. 
In all instances the annoyance and irritation make the cat very unhappy, for 
the itching is intolerable, and her biting and scratching aggravate the 
disease. 

I have been very successful in treating them just as I would a human 
patient. The diseased surfiice should be sponged with pure castile soap- 
suds, and carefully dried} after which, if the disease is mild, apply the 
following ointment: 

1 IJ Boracic acid (pulv.), one drachm. 

Almond oil, two drachms. 

Vaseline, two ounces. 

Mix. 
Rub in thoroughly with the finger or soft rag. Repeat this every 
day and the eruption will soon disappear. In severe cases use an ointment 
of one drachm of sulphurous acid to one ounce of vaseline (or a wash of 
one drachm of sulphurous acid to one ounce of water). Nearly all varieties 
of mange are caused by microscopic fungi in the skin, and when they 
are destroyed the disease leaves. Carbolated cosmoline has been found 
useful, and so has an ointment of chrysophanic acid, ten grains to one ounce 
of vaseline, the latter being especially good in cases of ring-worm. 

Internally the best remedy is arsenic, one-tenth of a drop of Fowler's 
Solution, three times a day, or iodide of arsenic, third trituration, a grain 
three times a day. Cod-liver oil is useful if the cat is much emaciated, 
since it readily restores the flesh. 



THE CAT AND ITS DISEASES. 803 

CATS WITH KITTENS. 

If you have a valuable and favorite cat pregnant, do not allow her 
to be pushed about, struck or kicked, or she may miscarry, or suffer during 
her confinement. Sometimes the kittens are still-born from such ill-treat- 
ment. See that the cat is well and regularly fed and properly housed. 

When she has kittens, never be so hard-hearted as to destroy all her 
family at once. There is no other nnimal that exhibits more affection for 
its progenv. It will go hungry that its young may eat, and will face the 
most terrible danger in their behalf If her children are taken from her, 
the mother will go about for many days in the most distracted and melancholy 
manner, filling the house with her piteous mewings. Therefore, be merci- 
ful and humane. Always leave her at least one baby until it has reached 
an age when it can find other food than its mother's milk. If a cat is de- 
prived of all her young, she may suffer from painful enlargement or inflam- 
mation of the breasts, which sometimes suppurate. I have known many 
cases in which this retention of milk acted as it does sometimes in women 
when delirium and child-bed fever set in; and a cat maybe dangerous at 
such times. 

A cat's litter may all be born dead, or may be eaten by some old 
tom-cat, or any other animal. If no kittens can be procured to nurse the 
mother, a little camphorated oil or phytolacca cerate should be rubbed on 
the breasts; if she has fever, give aconite and belladonna (pellets) alter- 
nately an hour apart. Sponging the teats with warm water will sometimes 
cause the milk to flow and relieve the swelling and pain. 

If the mother dies and you wish to raise the kittens by hand, give 
them a little new milk sweetened with brown sugar. As a substitute for 
the mother's licking, rub them with a sponge, squeezed out nearly dry after 
being dipped in warm water that is a little soapy. 

BRIEF MENTION OF VARIOUS AFFECTIONS. 

Boils. — Several of my cats have had an eruption like boils, probably 
from over-feeding. They need but little treatment, and measures for pro- 
moting the general health will be sufficient. 

Pox In the spring and autumn cats are frequently aftlicted with a 

disease resembling chicken-fox in the human subject. The head and throat 
are the parts usually attacked, the hair falls off, and the animal's appearance 
is very miserable. Give hepar sulphur, third trituration, a few grains on the 
tongue every three hours, and apply the boracic-acid ointment mentioned 
under Mange. 



864 



COMPENDIUM OF HEALTH. 



Fleas. — In some countries and towns cats are terribly annoyed by 
fleas. They are readily removed by a few applications of Persian Insect 
Powder, rubbed into the fur. 

Injuries, etc — Cats stand operations of all sorts very well. If a 
leg is broken and lacerated by a trap, and cannot be set and put in 
splints, cut it off. Leave sufficient flesh to cover the bone, and have ready 
a wire raised to white heat, to cauterize and stop bleeding; then bring the 
flesh together by a needle and thread. If the wound has been made with 
a knife or the teeth of some animal, sew it up. If an ulcer forms from any 
cause, touch it with some caustic or burned alum. Cats will persistently 
bck a wound or ulcer. In some cases It will be well to let them. In 
others it defeats healing. A fine wire muzzle is the only preventive. 




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